High speed dryer



4Filed April '4. 1961 11`Sheets-sneet l1 l@/\@ @ga/@JCE IN VEIV TOR. Abraham /Vow'c/f 7km@ M# 7mm Oct. 22, 1963 A. NovlcK HIGH SPEED DRYERv 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4. 1961 INVENTQR. Abraham Nav/cfr Afrjys Oct. 22, 1963 A, NOVICK 3,107,984

HIGH SPEED DRYER Filed April 4, 1961 l 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR. Abra/1am Nav/'ck ocr. 22, 1953 A. Nowak 3,107,984-

` HIGH SPEED DRYER `Filed April 4, 1961 11 SheetSSheeb 4 INVENTOR. Abraham Nov/'ck Afri/s A; NovicKv HIGH SPEED DRYER Oct. 22, 1963 Filed April 4,'. 1961 STI M mm m 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 SNE N" INVENTOR. Abraham /VaV/'c/r 71M, MEM

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A. NovlcK HIGH SPEED DRYER Oct. 22, 1963 11 Sheets-Sheet' 6 Filed April 4. 1961 M my mw L V 4 Nm Mr la .A m b Y @B ,O QQ QQN n QB G C. 22, 1963 .i A NQVICK i y HIGH SPEED DRYER l Filed Apri1 4. 1961 11 sheets-sheet 7 IN VEN TOR.

Qct. 22, 1963 A. NovxcK v 3,107,984

' HIGH SPEED DRYER Filed April 4. 1961 v 11 sheets-sheet a l@ ma M4 INVENTO'R. Abrahm'Nov/ck A. No'vlczK HIGH SPEED DRYER oct. 22, 1963.

11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 4, 1961 IN VEN TOR. Abra/1am Nav/cfr -.11 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed April 4. 1961 IN VEN TOR. Abraham /vaw'c/f snets-'sheet 11 Oct. 22, 1963 A NOVlCK HIGH SPEED DRYER" Filed April 4, 1961 s@ :T M3 Rw. n @www m www *3195-849 5% BQ%\. vb\ um HIT .n L". WIIIIH uNS |v mw www kN uu Lgrgrgggrgrgrgrgrghgrgrgrhrerg gierig@ Y. I N, No\/ @Y oy SN l United States Patent 3,107,984 HlGi-i SPEED DRYER Abraham Novich, Flushing, NX., assigner to F. L. Sxnithe Machine Co., Inc., New York, NX., a corporation of New Jork Filed Apr. 4, 1961, Ser. No. iti-2,686 2 Claims. (Cl. 34--236) This invention relates to machines for the manufacture of envelopes and more particularly to the kind known as high speed rotary machines. It is an improvement on the machine of my Patent No. 1,807,867 dated I-une 2, 1931. The present application is a conti-nuation-in-part application of my prior application Serial No. 668,634, tiled lune 28, 1957, now abandoned.

A feature of the invention relates to novel means for feeding a band of envelope blanks through a dryer without displacement of the blanks in the band, by providing at least a pair 'of opposed chains in place of the usual woven fabric belts.

A further feature of the opposed chain conveyor is that it is not subject to elongation and `accelerated deterioration when passing through the hot drying portion of the machine.

Yet another feature yof the invention is to provide a means for conveying envelopes or like articles in better registration under adverse atmospheric conditions.

A still further feature of the chain conveyor is to allow increased drier temperatures so that the drying cycle requires less time and the length of the dryer may be made correspondingly shorter, or conversely to allow the speeding up of the machine to higher production rates.

A further feature relates to the arrangement of a curved conveyor means to elevate the advanced section of the band of blanks to a higher level for subsequent operations.

A still further feature relates to means to facilitate adjustment of the leading end of the band `of overlapped blanks relatively to individualizing means.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a pon-tion of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the continuation `or adjoining portion of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view, on 'a larger scale, of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is `a diagrammatic elevation of the parts as seen when looking toward the right hand end of the machine in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the dryer conveyor and some of the associated parts;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional taken on the line 7-'7 `of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a plan View of a portion of the some of the parts being omitted;

FIG. 8a is a fragmentary plan View showing some of the pants of FIG. S;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of the machine as seen when looking towards the left end `of the machine in FIG. 7, some of the parts being omitted;

FIG. l0 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1li-1t) of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is `adiagrammatic side view of the delivery end of the band conveyor and lthe associated individualizing mechanism;

FIG. l2 is a plan view of a portion of band of overlapped envelope blanks shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view in section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 14 showing the delivery end of the band conveyor and the associated feed rollers;

machine,

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FIG. 14 is a vertical section taken `on line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is la fragmentary view of another embodiment of the improved conveyor means of the invention employing alternate means for biasing and guiding the upper chains;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along line 16-16' of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view, partially in section of the conveyor chain links taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

Similar reference characters refer 'to similar parts in each of Ithe several views.

Brief Description The machine includes various mechanisms such as the feeding means 20 (FIGS. 1 and 3) for feeding envelope blanks 21 from a stack 22 to a conveyor 24 to form a band 26 of overlapped blanks 21 (FIG. 3). The band 26 of blanks is advanced by -a curved conveyor means 28. It is moved by the conveyor means 28 to a seal ap gummer 30 having an applicator 32 to apply gum 26a (FIG. 4) to the seal flaps. The band of blanks is next fed by novel conveyor means 33 at a slightly faster speed through a hot air or radiant dryer 34 to dry the gum 26a on the seal liaps. The band is subsequently fed `around a second Curved conveyor means or section 35 to a higher level to individualizing mechanism 36. Each blank is then fed to aligning means 38. It is then scored by means 40. Side flaps a are then folded over the body of ,the blank by a plowshare folder 42. After the folding of the side flaps 40a, the bottom ilap 43 is supplied with gum strips 44a (FIG. 12) by diagonal gummer blades 44 of a gummer 45 (FIG. 2). From the gummer 45 the individual blanks yare fed to feed rollers 46 (FIG. l) whereby they are conducted to a large suction cylinder 48, like that shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 629,902, tiled December 21, 1956, now abandoned, and a cooperating feed roller 49. After the blank passes the feed roller 49, a sucker 50 picks up the free end 51 lof the bottom flap 43 to initiate the folding of said bottom ap. The folding `of the bottom flap 43 is completed by a feed roller 53a cooperating with the cylinder 48. The folding of the envelope blank is subsequently completed by means including rotary fingers 53, and a drum 54 rotatable by a shaft 55 cooperating therewith. The `drum has conveyor means 55a associ-ated therewith whereby the folded envelopes are conveyed to slots 56' of transfer means 57 -to deposit the envelopes 58 in stack formation upon a table or platform 58a from which they may be conveniently removed by the attendant of the machine for packaging.

Detailed Description The stack 22 of envelope blanks 21 rests mainly on rotary supporting and sparating discs 59 which yare carried `and driven by shafts 60 (FIGS. 'l and 3). The blanks 21 are removed Ifrom the stack by feeding means 20 which may be like that shown in my copending application Serial No. 625,993, tiled December 23, 195-6, which issued as Patent No. 2,954,225. The feeding means include a suction picker `61a (see FIG. 1 also) which assists in removing the lowenmost blank from the stack and transferring it to the conveyor 24.

The conveyor 24 includes two nanrow belts 61 which are spaced apart as in FIG. 4, and are guided in grooves 62 of a cylinder 63 rotated by a drive shaft 64 att a sufficiently slow rate of speed to form the band 26 of overlapped blanks 21, so that the seal flaps 26a are somewhat exposed and trailing. The conveyor 24 includes another belt 65 which is wide and runs over la wide roller 66 located under the cylinder l63. The belt is guided in a s curved pathby means including stationary, long rollers 68 (FIG. 1). The belt 65 assists in feeding the band 26 to the lgum applicator 32 to apply `gum 26a to the exposed ends of the seal flaps. The conveyor 24 includes two more narrow belts 70 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to cooperate with the 'wide belt section 65 for feeding the band y26 past the gumrne-r 30. The-se belts 7G 'are spaced apart to clear the gummer 30.

In laddition to the grooves l62 in the cylinder 63, the belts 62 are each guided by stationary rollers 72 and 74. The curved portion of the conveyor belt section 65 is guided by the rollers 66 and 68, the belt section 65 is further guided by stationary rollers or pulleys 72' and 74. To drive fthe belt 65, the pulley 74 is secured to rotatable drive shaft 75. 'I'he narrow belts 7G cooperate with the wide belt 65 and are each guided by three pulleys 76, 78, and `80.

Tl'ne conveyor 28 extends downwardly in the machine in a curve. The band 26 is conducted from the curved part of conveyor 23 over a horizontal table 32 to feed rollers 3S and yS4 which run at a speed slightly fastener dran that of the band 26. Thus as each blank reaches the rollers -85 and 84 it ladvanced in the band to break the adhesive or gurn between it and its suceeding blank, which tends to hold the blanks together. The band 26 is then advanced by additional feed rollers k86 and 38 to a conveyor 90 'whereby the band 26 is conducted over the dryer 92.

The conveyor 9d includes ltwo pairs of chains, 94 and 96, one pai-r cooperating with each side of the band 26 as in FIG. 6. Each chain 94-and 96 is lformed by links 98 and blocks 100, connected `to one another by pins 162. The effective or :feeding reach of the upper chain 94 holds `the band 26 against the eiective lreach of the lower chain 96 to feed or advance the band at `a comparatively slow speed, while heat is applied from the dryer located under the seal aps. The conveyor chains 94 and 96 are guided over the sprocket Wheels 104 `and i106 (FIG. 1) at the right hand end of the conveyor 34. Channel-shaped guide rails 108 land 110 (FIG. 7) are provided for the upper reaches 94 and 96 of -both the conveyor chains to 4assist in supporting them.

Rollers 112 have a raised 'lian-ge 112a about their outer periphery Iforming -a guide groove. This groove prevents lateral displacement of the lower reach of chain 94 in the same manner that the channel shaped guide rail 111i prevents lateral displacement of the upper reach of chain 96.

The lower reaches of the conveyor chains 90 are weighted by rollers 112 to press the reaches and the band 26 iirmly against the upper reaches of the lower conveyor chains 96 t0 effect the feed of the band and prevent accidental displacement of the blanks in the band. Sprockets 114 and -116 (FIGS. 2 'and 7) are provided at the left end of the machine to drive the conveyor chains 94 and 96 respectively. These sprockets are secured to drive shafts 11S and 120.

The rollers 112 are each guided by :a pair of arms 121 (FIGS. and `6) secured to and depending from the channel bar or guide rail 19S. The arms 121 are fastened by screws llla one at each side of said guide rails l16d and each arm has an elongated slot k122.` Each roller 1'12 has projecting from its sides a stub shaft 124. Tlhese stub shafts engage in the slots 122 to guide the rollers 1112 with `freedom of up and down movement of the rollers 112 in accordance with different thicknesses of envelope blanks that make up the band 26 at didefrent times.

However, lthose skilled in the lart will readily appreciate that many means equivalent to the rollers 112 could be used for guiding the lower reach of the upper chain 94, such as, for instance, a Aguide rail similar to rails 1.10 yieldably mounted so as to be displaceable in a vertical plane, 4such as Ia preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. to `17, wherein those elements having like or similar functions have been numbered similarly with the addition of a lettered or a primed suix.

Referring specifically to FIGS. l5 to 17 the conveyor 99a includes a pair olf upper chains 94a which cooperate with a corresponding pair of lower chains 96a on each side of the envelope band feed path designated by the dotted line A. Each of the chains 94a and `96a includes a plurality of hat links -`98a and blocks 16Go, pivotally connected to one another by a plurality of pins 10261.

Each of the chain links and blocks is provided with a v relieved edge shown generally at `191 which presents a fluted surface on one side of the chain while the other side of the chain presents a flat surface. L1 the arrangethe lower chain 96a to feed the band at a comparatively i slow speed, while heart is supplied in any Well known iiashion. Each of the chains is driven by its respective sprocket wheels 1G45: or 166e and held in cooperating feeding relation by upper and lower channel-like guide members 112 'and `l10n (FIG. 16). The upper channel guide members 112' are free to move vertically by virtue of their pivotal support links 121:1 secured at the upper end to rail 168. In this embodiment, the rollers 1112 of the previous embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6)- have been replaced by the equivalent pressure element means 112 which contain a similar edge yguiding flange 112e to maintain Ithe chain path of travel in accurate alignment with its cooperating lower chain 96a.

In advance of the chain conveyor 99a in thislast described embodiment, is provided a set of pivotal armsV 362 which support a plurality of idler rollers 306 which are aligned and cooperate with the dat upper surface of the lower chain 96a fto provide a roller-chain input con# veyor to feed blanks into the bight of the double chain conveyor.

The curved conveyor section 35 at the left hand end of the machine (FIGS. 2, 7 and 9) conducts the band 26 delivered from the dryer to a higher and convenient level for subsequent operations.

The curved conveyor section 35 includes two narrow outer belts V126 and two narrow inner belts l127 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). The belts 127 are guided over Va series of stationary rollers 1275 to conduct the band 26 of blanks in a curved path. The outer belts 126 are guided at their lower ends by stationary pulleys 130 and at 4their upper ends by pulleys 132 on a drive shaft 134. The belts 126 extend from the pulleys 132 to fthe stationary guide pulley 136 around guide pulleys 138 and 140 and then to the pulleys 130 and over the belts y12'7 back to pulleys 132. The inner belts `127 extend from stationary pulley-s 142, on a shaft 142e, around the series of guide pulleys 128 then to form a horizontal extension 143 of the conveyor 3S. The belts 127 then extend around drive rollers 144, guide rollers 145 and then around rollers 147, 148, 149, `and 150, and back to pulley y142.

The pulleys 1128 of each set which guide the belts 126 and 127 are supported by pivot pins 152 on one of two segmental plates 154, one plate at each outer side of the rollers 128. The plates 154 are connected by a crossbar 156. This bar forms with the plates 154 part of a supponting frame 158 having .two vertical end bars 160 to which the bar 156 is secured. The vcntical bars 16d are supported at their lower ends each by a pivot stud 162 to swingingly support the frame 158 on the main frame 123 of the machine.

A cross-bar 164 is rigidly connected at the upper ends of the vertical bars 1169 This cross-bar 164 has pivotally connected to it by studs 166 two horizontal bars 168i) supporting pressure rollers 169.

The horizontal extensions 143 of the conveyor belts 127 are guided for the greater part by rollers 168 over which the belts run freely. The band 26 of blanks is carried between the upper reaches of the horizontal conveyor sections 143 and pressure rollers 169.

Near the rollers 144 the conveyor sections 143 run over shont guide plates 176 secured to a cross-bar 171 fastened to the horizontal end bars 164. The belt sections 143 pass over plates 176 and several of the pressure rollers 169 cooperate to feed the band 26.

Each pressure roller 169 is rotatably supported by a spring biased lever 172 pivoted on a pin 173 (FIG. 13) of a post 174.

There is one set of pressure rollers 169 near each side of the web 26. rIhe posts 174 of each set o-f rollers 169 are detachably supported on one of the horizontal bars 168b.

To maintain the effectiveness of the spring pressed rollers 169, the ends remote from their pivots 16661 of the bars 168i: are held down. To this end each bar 168b is provided wi-th a slot 179 to embrace a pin '186 on a bracket 181 secured to the cross-bar 171. Each pin 180 is provided with collars 182 to guide the bars 16312 between them. Another cross-bar 183 similar -to the one designated 171 extends from one to the other of the end bars 161.

The means for adjusting the position of the conveyor 3S so that the leading edge of the band reaches the individualizing means 36 at the proper time will now be described. For this purpose two screws 185 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are threaded into blocks 186, one on the outer side of each end bar 161. Each screw 185 rotates freely in a stationary block 187 on the machine frame 123, and is held axially on .the block 187 by a bevel gear 188 on the screw 185 at one side of the block and a collar 189 fixed on said screw at the other side of the block 187. Meshing with the gears 18S are bevel gears 190' vsecured to a shaft l192 supported in the machine frame 123. The shaft 192 is provided with a square end 193 for attachment of a handle (not shown) whereby the shaft may be rotated. Rotation of the shaft 192 drives the screws 185 to shift the conveyor fname =158 about pivot studs 162 to carry the band 26 therewith and its leading edge to the appropriate position.

The individualizing means 36 includes a pull-out segment 18% and cooperative rollers 190m The distance between bight of the pull-out segment 1891: and its eooperative rollers 191m Ito the nearest holddown roller 169 should always be approximately equal to the distance from the leading edge of the seal ap to the trailing edges of the side flap of the blank, so that an instant after the leading edge of the blank reaches the bight of the pull-out segment 1S9b of individualizer 36 the trailing edge of the blank becomes free of the nearest holddown roller 169. In addition to the adjustment eifected by the adjusting screws 185, of the leading edge of the band 26 as above described, provision is made for adjustment of the position of the nearest holddown roller 1,69 in accordance with different sizes of envelope blanks which may constitute the band at different times. For this purpose the roller supporting post 174 may be adjusted lengthwise of its supporting bar 16S. A set screw 193a holds each post 174 (FIG. 13) on the bar 168er to maintain the roller |169 in its adjusted position.

There are two sets of rollers 16S, one set for each belt section 127. The rollers of each set are pivotally supported by pins 192 on the bar 175. Both bars 175 are rigidly carried by supporting cross-bar 171 and the crossbar 183 similarly supported on the horizontal end bars 161.

A guard plate 195 (FIG. 8) suitably supported between the two sets of rollers 168 may be provided to prevent the blanks 21 from sagging into the space between the conveyor sections "143.

The drive rollers 144 (FIGS. 7 and 8) for the conveyor sections 143 are secured to a shaft 194 which is carried by the right-hand ends of the horizontal bars 164 (FIGS. 8, 7 and 13). A drive shaft 196 supported in the lower part of the main frame 123 has fixed thereon a sprocket 198 to drive chain 200 engaging a `sprocket 202 secured to the shaft 194 to rotate the latter. This arrangement permits freedom of shifting of the horizontal conveyor section 143.

To drive the shaft 134 which carries the pulleys 132 for the conveyor belt 126 there may be secured to said shaft 134 a sprocket, which may be driven by a chain similar to the drive chain 260 for the shaft 194.

The guide rollers 147, 148, 149 and 150 for each conveyor belt 127 are carried Iby the pivot studs 20'4 on the rsegmental plate 154. The rollers 136, 138, and which assist in supporting :and guiding the conveyor belts 126 are 4also carried by the segmental plates 154, but through the means of brackets 206 and 208 secured to said plates 154. The brackets 206 support the roller 136 and the brackets 208 support the rollers 138 and 141i. The pulleys 142 for the conveyor belt 127 are carried by the shaft 142a which is supported by bracket 209a. The brackets 209a also support the pulleys 130 for the conveyor belts 126. All of the brackets 266, 20S and 20961 are L-shaped (FIGS. 8 and 9) to extend around and clear the opposite side edges of the band 26 of blanks.

The segmental plates 154 Vare connected at their upper ends to the shaft 134 by brackets 21@ which are slotted for convenience of assembly to embrace the drive shaft 134. The brackets 210 are lalso L-shaped as in FIG. 9 to clear the side edges `of the band 26 of blanks.

In individualizer 36 may be like that shown in the above mentioned U.S. Patent No. 1,807,867 and includes two pull-out segments 18917 cooperating with stationary feed rollers as above mentioned, supported on the machine frame 123. The segments 189b are secured to a station- -ary rotating shaft 18911.

The aligning means 38 may also be like that shown in above mentioned patent (U.S.) No. 1,807,867, land includes two chains 212, each chain having a series `of pins 214 (FIG. 7) thereon to engage trailing edges of they blanks to align them and advance them to .the scorer 40 which may be similar `to that of my U.S. Patent No. 2,101,268, dated December 7, 1937.

The side flap folder 42 which is next in the order to events may be like that shown in U.S. Patent No. 1,839,- 492, dated January 5, 1932.

The gummer 45 to which each blank 23 is next conducted may be like that of U.S. Patent No. 1,961,162, dated June 5, 1934. It includes the diagonally disposed blades 44 -by which gum strips 44a (FIG. 12) are applied to the side edges of the Abottom iiap 43 of the blank 21.

Each blank 21 is conducted further to means including the suction cylinder 43 for to fold the bottom flap in a manner above mentioned, and the completely folded envelopes are deposited by lthe transfer 51 lto the platform 58a.

Thus it can be seen how the ichain conveyor portion of the novel machine will provide improved registration of the envelope blanks in the band particularly during passage through the dryer portion because there will be practically no variation in the conveyor length due to high temperatures `and atmospheric conditions. Additionally, because the `chains are obviously fire proof the dryer section may be operated at an elevated temperature to elfeot a reduction in the drying time and a corresponding foreshortening of the total machine length maybe made.

I have described what I believe to be the best form of embodiment of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiment shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, a dryer for envelope blanks and a conveyor for `conducting `a band of blanks in overlapped formation through said dryer, said conveyor including a pair of upper and lower spaced endless chains, positive drive means for moving each of said chains, said chains including central contacting portions between which said band of blanks are conveyed in at wrinklefree relation, channel guide members below the upper reaches of each of said chains for guiding the upper reaches of said chains in their movement, .guide member supporting arm means connected to the upper ones of said channel guide members and depending therefrom into proximity tothe lower reach of said upper chains, said guide member supporting arm means including a vertically elongated slotted portion, and la weighted member having a laterally extending portion confined in the slot of said arm ffor permitting vertical up and down movement thereof, said member including a flange portion at the outer periphery thereof forming Ia guide groove embracing the lower reach of said upper chain for controlling the lateral movement thereof.

2, The combination according to claim 1, wherein said lower chains include end portions extending beyond the end of their associated upper chains, and spaced roller means in cooperating band feeding relation with said extending portions.

References Cited i1 the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Martin May 3, 1960 

1. IN COMBINATION, A DRYER FOR ENVELOPE BLANKS AND A CONVEYOR FOR CONDUCTING A BAND OF BLANKS IN OVERLAPPED FORMATION THROUGH SAID DRYER, SAID CONVEYOR INCLUDING A PAIR OF UPPER AND LOWER SPACED ENDLESS CHAINS, POSITIVE DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING EACH OF SAID CHAINS, SAID CHAINS INCLUDING CENTRAL CONTACTING PORTIONS BETWEEN WHICH SAID BAND OF BLANKS ARE CONVEYED IN FLAT WRINKLE-FREE RELATION, CHANNEL GUIDE MEMBRS BELOW THE UPPER REACHES OF EACH OF SAID CHAINS FOR GUIDING THE UPPER REACHES OF SAID CHAINS IN THEIR MOVEMENT, GUIDE MEMBER SUPPORTING ARM MEANS 